Financial responsibility indicator system and method

ABSTRACT

A network device accesses a server via a network to collect information from a user and to verify identification of the user. Financial information of the user is accessed from one or more sources other than the user. An indicator of financial responsibility is assigned to the user based on the collected information and the accessed financial information of the user. The indicator of financial responsibility is disclosed to other persons under conditions selected by the user by communicating the indicator of financial responsibility via the network to one or more network devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/620,592, filed Sep. 14, 2012, whichfurther claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/535,935, filed Sep. 16, 2011, the entire contents of bothapplications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relates generally to safeguardingones sensitive date. More particularly, embodiments of the inventionrelate to sharing ones financial responsibility without sharing theassociated sensitive information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of computer-assistedfinancial services and, more particularly, to providing creditingchecking, financial analysis and information services via a computernetwork.

Increasingly, business and social interactions occur via computernetworks, and more specifically via the Internet. Many people have anonline persona, or brand, which can be embodied in a blog, a social orbusiness networking profile, or simply an account on a dating website.In addition, many daily activities take place online, including buyingand selling products and services, job and house hunting, andinteracting with friends and coworkers, that a person's web presence canbe nearly as important as a person's “real-life” presence.

A challenge to online interactions is that it can be difficult todetermine the financial responsibility, trustworthiness, socialresponsibility and similar attributes of other persons that arepotential planners in a prospective business transaction or socialinteraction. In such situations, there is a natural tendency on the partof all parties to avoid disclosing too much personal information withoutfirst knowing more about the person or persons that will be receivingsuch information.

Therefore, what is needed is a secure way to communicate financialresponsibility, trustworthiness, social responsibility and similarattributes via a computer network.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a system and a method for authenticatinga person's identity and for assigning to the person an indicator of theperson's responsibility. The present invention allows the person toshare the indicator via a computer network so as to convey the person'sresponsibility to others.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a networkdevice accesses a server via a network to collect information from auser and to verify identification of the user. Financial information ofthe user is accessed from one or more sources other than the user. Anindicator of financial responsibility is assigned to the user based onthe collected information and the accessed financial information of theuser. The indicator of financial responsibility is disclosed to otherpersons under conditions selected by the user by communicating theindicator of financial responsibility via the network to one or morenetwork devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with respect to particular exemplaryembodiments thereof and reference is accordingly made to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system that may be used to implement methodsdescribed herein in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary opening web page that may be displayedto a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a web page showing a summary of a user's finances inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a web page showing financial data of a user inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a web page showing a credit analysis of a user inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a web page showing badge indicators of financialresponsibility in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a web page showing a preview of a “member” levelbadge for a user in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a web page showing a preview of a “good” level badgefor a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a web page showing a preview of an “excellent” levelbadge for a user in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a web page showing user-selectable settings inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a web page showing a “sharing” selection beingenabled in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a web page showing selection of a badge for sharingin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a web page showing a process for adding a profilepicture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a web page showing a profile picture in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a dialog box for embedded sharing of a badge and forsharing a badge via a web link in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a dialog box for sharing a badge via secure email inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a web page showing a preview of an email message inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrates web pages showing an overview of a user'sfinances in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a system and a method for authenticatinga person's identity and for assigning to the person an indicator of theperson's responsibility and, more particularly, the person's financialresponsibility. The present invention allows the person to share theindicator via a computer network so as to convey the person'sresponsibility to others. The invention provides a convenient and secureway for persons to share and show their good sense to others. As usedherein, the term “financial responsibility” refers to the manner which aperson handles his or her finances and represents the degree ofproficiency and reliability exhibited by the person with respect to hisor her finances. Financial responsibility additionally refers to aperson's financial fitness which represents the person's ability torepay new or existing obligations. The indicator can be determined baseda person's financial information, such as credit score, debt portfolio,debt-to-income ratio, assets and other factors. Indicators can bedisplayed on a resume, in social and professional networking profiles,ecommerce and dating profiles, and elsewhere. The invention is usefulfor persons applying for a new job, employers seeking responsibleemployment candidates, for transacting business online, for potentialrenters seeking to show their responsibility to potential landlords,landlords seeking to identify responsible tenants, and for interactingonline for social reasons. The present invention also allows users tobetter understand and improve their credit.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be implemented inthe context of an electronic commerce system in which consumers access awebsite for performing crediting checking and financial analysis as wellas methods and other functionality as described herein. FIG. 1illustrates a system 100 that may be used to implement the methods andfunctionality described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, a server 102 iscommunicatively coupled to a plurality of remote network devices 104,106, and 108 via a network 110. The server 102 includes a processor 112,data and program storage 114 and input/output devices 116, which mayinclude, for example, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and a networkinterface. The server 102 is preferably under the control of an operatorof the financial responsibility indicator system. The network 110 mayinclude, for example, a local area network, an intranet, and/or a widearea network, such as the Internet. The remote access network devices104, 106, 108, may be implemented as various computing devices, such adesktop or portable personal computer, a “smart” phone, tablet computer,a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other device. A user accesses theserver 102 by using a remote access device 104, 106 or 108. For example,the server 102 may host website portal which can be accessed by users ofthe devices 104, 106 or 108. The devices 104, 106, 108 may communicatewith the server 102 and with each other and other devices by wireless orwired connections. While a single server 102 is shown, it will beunderstood that the functions of the server 102 may be performed bymultiple servers or by a distributed server system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary opening web page that may be displayedto a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Upon visiting the web page, a user may begin a process of obtaining anindicator of financial responsibility, also referred to herein as a“badge,” and may selectively share the indicator with others, asdescribed herein. The web page of FIG. 2 and others described herein maybe stored and displayed by the server 102 (FIG. 1). The user can accessthe web page by using an access device 104, 106 or 108 (FIG. 1).Financial data and other information discussed herein may be stored instorage 114.

The user may select a link from the opening web page which begins asign-up, identity verification and data collection process. The user maythen be asked to provide his or her email address, a user name and anaccount password. A user's email address can serve as the user name. Aunique account is assigned to the user. The password is used by the userfor logging into his or her account.

The user is asked to provide his or her full legal name, currentresidence address, an indication as to whether the user owns or rentshis or her residence, his or her full social security number, as well asindication that the user understands and agrees to allow a credit checkto be performed. This information can be stored at the server 102 (FIG.1)

Information collected from the user can be transmitted to a creditreporting agency. The information can be transmitted from the server 102to the credit reporting agency's computer systems (not shown). Forexample, the three recognized nationwide reporting agencies are Equifax,Experian, and Trans Union. The credit reporting agency can then use theinformation to access its credit report for the user. The user can befurther authenticated by using information from the credit report togenerate authentication questions for the user for which only the useris likely to know the answers. These can be, for example, multiplechoice questions relating to the amount of the monthly payment on acurrent loan of the user or the street address of a former residence ofthe user. The credit reporting agency can generate these questions whichcan then be displayed for the user. Answers to the questions can berelayed by the server 102 to the credit reporting agency whichdetermines whether the questions are correctly answered. Once the usercorrectly answers a sufficient number of these questions, e.g., the usercorrectly answers the first three out of three such questions, or theuser correctly answers a total of three out of five questions, then theuser is authenticated.

The user's identification can be authenticated through additional oralternative methods. For example, the user may be asked to provideinformation about himself or herself that is then compared toinformation obtained from another source. This other source can begovernment documents, employment records, etc.

Once the user is authenticated, information from the user's creditreport can be communicated from the credit reporting agency. This caninclude the user's credit score. For example, the credit reportinformation can be received at the server 102 (FIG. 1). In addition tothe credit report information, additional information can be obtainedfrom other sources regarding the user. For example, real propertyrecords can be accessed using the user's provided residence address.These records can be obtained from databases maintained by publicagencies such as tax collectors or recorder's offices. These records canalternatively or additionally be obtained from databases maintained byprivate organizations. Such records can provide, for example, asestimate of the value of real property owned by the user, as well as itssize and Information regarding any loans taken out on the property.Additional information can also be collected from the user.

A summary of the user's information, and particularly the user'sfinancial information, can be displayed for the user. FIG. 3 illustratesa web page showing a summary of a user's finances in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the user'scredit score, total monthly debt payments and home value can bedisplayed along with the user's badge level. Additional informationregarding the user's loans can be displayed, such as list of loans andoutstanding balances and monthly payment for each.

Using information obtained from the user's credit report, and anyadditional information collected, an analysis of this information can beperformed. This can include making a determination regarding the user'slevel of financial responsibility. For example, the levels can bedesignated as: “verified,” “good,” “excellent” and “guru.” The “guru”level can also be referred as “excellent.” In a preferred embodiment,every user that successfully completes the verification process isassigned a “verified” or “member” rating and can also be assigned any ofthe other ratings (“good,” “excellent” or “guru”).

The user's credit score can be used, by itself, to determine the user'slevel of financial responsibility. For example, if the user's creditscore is below a first threshold (e.g. 679 and below), then the user mayassigned only the “verified” level. If the user's credit score fallswithin a range of values above the first threshold, (e.g., 680-739),then the user may be assigned the “good” level. If the user's creditscore is above a second threshold, higher than the range of values(e.g., 740 and above), then the user may be assigned the “excellent”level. User's that receive the “good” and “excellent” levels can alsoreceive the “verified” status. Thus, the “good” and “excellent” levelscan be in addition to the “verified” status.

The “verified” rating can indicate that the user's identity wassuccessfully authenticated and that user has a valid credit report whichshows that the user is actively managing his or her credit and loans.The “good” rating can additionally show that the user has a good creditrating. The “excellent’ rating can additionally show that the user hasan “excellent” credit rating, higher than the “good” rating.

Information in addition to the user's credit score can be considered.For example, if the user's credit score is above the second threshold,(e.g., 740 and above), and the user meet additional criteria thatindicates financial responsibility or knowledge, then the user can beassigned the “guru” or “outstanding” level. The “guru” level can be inaddition to the “verified” status. Thus, the “guru” rating canadditionally show that the user has an “excellent” credit rating and isoutstanding in terms of managing his or her credit and debt.

The “guru” credit rating can, for example, indicate that the user has an“excellent” credit and that the user's loan and debt portfolio isoptimized (e.g. the user is already taking advantage of the mostsuitable loan products available for his or her financial situation).For example, to determine whether the “guru” level applies, an analysismay be performed on the user's debt portfolio. Such an analysis may beperformed in accordance with U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0249925,entitled, “Liability Advice System and Method,” the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference. If the analysis determinesthat there is not significant room for improvement, for example, ifthere are no opportunities to lower the user's monthly debt payments orgenerate savings based on the user's financial profile, goals andcurrently available debt products, then the user may be assigned the“guru” level. It will be apparent that other criteria can be applied toassign levels of financial responsibility to users, such as total debtto income ratio, monthly debt payments to income ratio, etc.

In an embodiment, the thresholds and ranges of credit scores used forassigning levels of financial responsibility can all be adjusted overtime so that the assigned levels of financial responsibility reflect thecurrently prevailing attitudes of lenders as to how the credit scoresmeasure lending risk. For example, in the current economic crisis,lenders have generally made their lending criteria more stringent. Thus,in the past, a borrower with a credit score of 620 may have generallybeen considered by lenders to be low risk borrower, whereas, currentlymany lenders require a credit score of 680 or higher to consider aborrower as having low risk. In the future, the prevailing views oflenders may change as to how a borrower's credit score relates to riskof default. So that the levels of financial responsibility assigned inaccordance with the present invention reflect the current prevailingviews of risk, the thresholds and ranges of credit scores used to assignlevels of financial responsibility are preferably adjusted up or downover time.

Other information can be considered instead of, or in addition to theuser's credit score. For example, data from a person's peer group can beused to determine financial fitness and responsibility. The peer groupmay be defined by reference to a variety of factors, such as a person'sage group, geographic region such as zip code, income level, creditscore level, whether or not they are a homeowner and other demographiccharacteristics such as gender, education level, ethnicity. Thus, howthe user's financial information compares to that of other persons inhis or her peer group can be used to determine the user's level offinancial responsibility.

As other examples of using information in addition to the user's scoreto assign levels of financial responsibility, the user's loan to assetvalues, debt level and credit usage, debt payment to income ratios,interest rates on their loans, terms and conditions of their loans andhow their loan terms compare to prevailing terms for comparable loans inthe market can be used and possibility combined with other financialinformation, such as the user's credit score, to determine which of thecategories or levels of financial responsibility is to be assigned tothe user.

Because the assigned level represents financial responsibility, it canbe considered to approximate the trustworthiness, social responsibility,financial fitness and similar attributes of the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a web page showing an exemplary credit analysis of auser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Forexample, various factors which influenced the assigned level offinancial responsibility can be displayed along with information thatmay assist the user in obtaining a higher level indicator. Additionally,changes from a most-recent prior analysis can be displayed which canassist the user to determine whether or not their financialresponsibility is heading in the right direction by improving.

FIG. 6 illustrates a web page showing badge indicators of financialresponsibility in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, each level of financial responsibilityhas a corresponding badge suitable for display. In an embodiment, threelevels can be assigned in addition to the base, “verified” level.However, it will be apparent that more or fewer levels may be assigned.

Once a particular level financial responsibility is assigned to theuser, the user can selectively share his or her assigned level bydisplaying the corresponding badge for others to review. The user canalso selectively preview the badge that will be shown to others as wellas the display option settings. FIG. 7 illustrates a web page showing apreview of a “member” level badge for a user in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a web pageshowing a preview of a “good” level badge for a user in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a web pageshowing a preview of an “excellent” level badge for a user in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a web page showing user-selectable display optionsettings in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 10, the user-selectable settings can include display of aphoto of the user and a nickname of the user. In addition, if the useris assigned a badge in addition to the “member” level badge, the usercan select which badge is to be shared with others. In the example ofFIG. 10, the user is assigned the “excellent” level badge. This badge ispreferably displayed in highlighted form with the other, unassignedbadges displayed without highlighting (e.g., they are shown morefaintly). In this case, the user can see the other badge levels,particularly the higher badge level(s), which is likely to cause theuser to be more motivated to improve his or her financial responsibilityso as to achieve a higher badge level. The user can also selectivelyenable and disable the sharing. FIG. 10 shows the sharing functiondisabled.

FIG. 11 illustrates a web page showing a “sharing” selection beingenabled in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.12 illustrates a web page showing selection of a badge for sharing inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.12, the user has selected the “excellent” badge for sharing. FIG. 13shows that the user has selected the “member” badge for sharing. FIG. 13also illustrates a web page showing a process for adding a profilepicture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.14 illustrates a web page showing a profile picture in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

If user elects not to share his or her badge, then the user can disablethe sharing functionality. This is shown FIG. 14.

A user can share his or her badge in various ways. This can include, forexample, embedding a badge link or graphic icon which represents thebadge in a personal web site or web page. FIG. 15 illustrates a dialogbox for embedded sharing of a badge and for sharing a badge via a weblink in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 15, a dialog box is displayed though which the user can selectthe size at which the embedded badge is displayed. The dialog box canalso provide HTML code that that user can cut and paste into his or herpersonal web site or web page so that the badge will be displayed there.

A user can share his or her badge via a web link. In this case, a dialogbox can provide a web link that the user can provide to others. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 15, the user can copy and paste the web linkinto the body of an email or text message. Upon receiving such amessage, the recipient can select the link which then causes therecipient's access device to link to a web page showing the user badge.This web page is preferably operated by the operator of the financialresponsibility indicator system and is, therefore, resistant totampering. FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate web page that may be displayedupon linking to a user's badge in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

A user can preferably share his or her badge by displaying the badge onthird-party operated websites, such as his or her profile page in socialnetworking web sites such as LINKED IN, TWITTER, FACEBOOK or others.FIG. 15 shows sharing options for such social networking websites.

A user can share his or her badge by sending a secure email message.FIG. 16 illustrates a dialog box for sharing a badge via secure email inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.16, a dialog box allows a user to compose a secure email message. Inaddition, the user can make selections that affect features of the emailmessage. For example, the user can selectively show his or her profilephoto, nickname, credit score, address or other attributes in the emailmessage. FIG. 17 illustrates a web page showing a preview of an emailmessage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theemail message is preferably sent by the operator of the financialresponsibility indicator system and is, therefore, resistant totampering. Once a secure email message is sent, delivered or read, theuser preferably receives confirmation that it was sent, delivered orread.

In an embodiment, privacy options are associated with sharing anddisplay of a user's badge. This can allow the user to display his or herbadge without disclosing his or her full identity. For example, userssuch as bloggers and website operators can share their badges along witha pseudonym or business name associated with the badge. In this case, auser can use the badge as an indication to others that he or she hasbeen verified (and optionally to share the user's level ofresponsibility) even if the user is using a public identity that isdifferent than his or her legal name.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate web pages showing an overview of a user'sfinances in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Similarly to FIG. 3, the user's credit score, total monthly debtpayments and home value can be displayed along with the user's badgelevel. FIG. 18A shows that a comparison of the user's current debtinstruments to currently available alternatives may be performed anddisplayed. Specifically, for each type of debt (e.g. mortgage, creditcards and auto loans), the user's current monthly payment can bedetermined and displayed. In addition, one or more currently availablealternative loans may be identified and an overall cost differencebetween the user's current loan and a selected one of the alternativeloans (e.g. the one with the greatest cost savings) can be determinedand displayed. The cost difference may be determined for specified timeperiod (e.g. ten years). For example, as shown in FIG. 18B, the user'scurrent mortgage has a monthly payment of $2,236. However, an analysisof currently available loan products determines that the user couldrefinance this loan to a more favorable loan such that the user can save$71,300 over a period of 14 years. Additionally, a link is provided thatthe user can active to initiate the process of applying for a morefavorable loan. In an embodiment, the user's total monthly payment forall sources of debt is displayed as well as a potential savings shouldthe user seek to refinance all of this debt using currently availableloan products. For example, as shown in FIG. 18B, the user's currentmonthly payment for all debt is $3,508, whereas, the user couldpotentially save $82,405 over a period of 10 years should the userrefinance all of the debts into more favorable loans. Thus, a comparisonof the user's current debt instruments to currently availablealternative debt instruments is performed and displayed. Thisinformation is useful for at least two reasons. First, how well the userin managing his or her finances can be determined, at least in part, byhow the user's current loan products compare to the market. Thisinformation can be used as a portion of the information that is used toassign a level of financial responsibility to the user. Thus, asexplained herein if the user's loan and debt portfolio is optimized(e.g. the user is already taking advantage of the most suitable andcost-effective loan products available for his or her financialsituation) this indicates that the user is managing his or her financeswell. Conversely, if the user is not taking advantage of the mostsuitable and cost-effective loan products, this indicates that the useris not managing his or her finances as well. Second, the comparison ofthe user's current debt instruments to currently-available alternativedebt instruments provides information that the user can readily act uponto obtain more favorable loan terms, which can have the two-fold benefitof saving money for the user and improving the user's determined levelof financial responsibility.

As shown in FIG. 18A, four categories of information related to theuser's finances is analyzed and displayed. The first category, labeled“My Credit” in FIG. 18A, represents a credit score. The second category,labeled “My Debt” in FIG. 18, represents the user's overall debt and/ordebt to income ratio. The third category, labeled “Am I Overpaying” inFIG. 18, represents a comparison of the user's current debt instrumentsto the market. The fourth category, labeled “My Assets” in FIG. 18A,represents the user's assets. In an embodiment of the present invention,any combination of information from two or more of these categories canbe used to determine the user's level of financial responsibility. Thus,for example, the credit score for the user, the level of debt for theuser, and the comparison of the user's current debt instruments tocurrently-available alternative debt instruments can be used todetermine the user's level of level responsibility. In this example,three of the categories of information are used to determine the user'slevel of responsibility. However, in this embodiment, all fourcategories may be analyzed and displayed. In other embodiments, more orfewer categories of information may be analyzed and displayed.

As is also shown in FIG. 18A, additional information regarding theuser's financial situation can be displayed, such as links to takeaction with respect to each of the four categories of informationdisplayed. As also shown in FIG. 18A, results of analysis of the user'sfinancial information can be displayed in summary fashion. Thisinformation is shown in FIG. 18A adjacent to the user's overall level offinancial responsibility (which is “good” is this example). Morespecifically, the user's credit score can be displayed along with acredit score ranking of (which is also “good” in this example). Alsoshown in FIG. 18A is a ranking for the user's debt (which is “excellent”in this example). Results of the comparison the user's current loanproducts compare to the market are also shown in summary fashion by theindication “yes” adjacent to the question “Am I Overpaying?” along withthe amount by which the user is overpaying.

A plurality of users can sign up and receive indicators of financialresponsibility. In an embodiment, each user's financial information isperiodically reviewed (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly) todetermine whether the current indicator is appropriate. This can includedetermining whether the user has become eligible for a higher levelindicator or whether the user has become eligible only for a lower levelindicator. In this way, the indicators assigned to users are reflectiveof each user's current level of financial responsibility. In anembodiment, a user can select in advance of any changes whether to showno badge at all or whether to show only the basic level badge in theevent that the user's assigned level is changed. A further option can befor the user to allow a newly assigned level of badge to beautomatically be shown to others any changes in level.

The foregoing detailed description of the present invention is providedfor the purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of disclosing financialresponsibility, through a computer network, comprising: accessing, by acomputing device, financial information of a user from one or more thirdparty sources, and wherein the financial information further includes adebt portfolio of the user; analyzing, by the computing device, the debtportfolio of the user; determining, by the computing device, a level offinancial responsibility of the user based on the analysis of the debtportfolio of the user; assigning, by the computing device, a graphicicon associated with the level of financial responsibility of the user;and presenting, by the computing device, at least one of a sharableembeddable software code or uniform resource locator (URL) web link tothe user through the computer network, wherein the at least one of thesharable embeddable software code or URL web link can display thegraphic icon associated with the level of financial responsibilitydetermined for the user to another user through the computer network. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the sharableembeddable software code or URL web link is presented to the user via awebpage.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphic icon is assignedfrom a group of different graphic icons, each graphic icon representinga different level of financial responsibility.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the financial information comprises a credit report or creditscore.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more third partysources includes at least one of a credit reporting agency or recordsthat describe real property of the user.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one of the sharable embeddable software code or URLweb link can display the graphic icon associated with financialresponsibility of the user in an at least one of an email, text message,or third-party website.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the level offinancial responsibility of the user is displayed using a publicidentity that is different than the legal name of the user.
 8. Anon-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions whichwhen executed by a processing system executes a method of disclosingfinancial responsibility, through a computer network, comprising:accessing financial information of a user from one or more third partysources, and wherein the financial information further includes a debtportfolio of the user; analyzing the debt portfolio of the user;determining a level of financial responsibility of the user based on theanalysis of the debt portfolio of the user; assigning a graphic iconassociated with the level of financial responsibility of the user; andpresenting at least one of a sharable embeddable software code oruniform resource locator (URL) web link to the user through the computernetwork, wherein the at least one of the sharable embeddable softwarecode or URL web link can display the graphic icon associated with thelevel of financial responsibility determined for the user to anotheruser through the computer network.
 9. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the sharableembeddable software code or URL web link is presented to the user via awebpage.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8,wherein the graphic icon is assigned from a group of different graphicicons, each graphic icon representing a different level of financialresponsibility.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim8, wherein the financial information comprises a credit report or creditscore.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8,wherein the one or more third party sources includes at least one of acredit reporting agency or records that describe real property of theuser.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8,wherein the at least one of the sharable embeddable software code or URLweb link can display the graphic icon associated with financialresponsibility of the user in an at least one of an email, text message,or third-party website.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 8, wherein the level of financial responsibility of the user isdisplayed using a public identity that is different than the legal nameof the user.
 15. A system to disclose financial responsibility, througha computer network, comprising: a memory device; a processing subsystemcoupled to the memory device, wherein the processing subsystem isconfigured to: access financial information of a user from one or morethird party sources, and wherein the financial information furtherincludes a debt portfolio of the user; analyze the debt portfolio of theuser; determine a level of financial responsibility of the user based onthe analysis of the debt portfolio of the user; assign a graphic iconassociated with the level of financial responsibility of the user; andpresent at least one of a sharable embeddable software code or uniformresource locator (URL) web link to the user through the computernetwork, wherein the at least one of the sharable embeddable softwarecode or URL web link can display the graphic icon associated with thelevel of financial responsibility determined for the user to anotheruser through the computer network.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinthe at least one of the sharable embeddable software code or URL weblink is presented to the user via a webpage.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein the graphic icon is selected assigned from a group of differentgraphic icons, each graphic icon representing a different level offinancial responsibility.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein thefinancial information comprises a credit report or credit score.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the sharable embeddablesoftware code or URL web link can display the graphic icon associatedwith financial responsibility of the user in an at least one of anemail, text message, or third-party website.
 20. The system of claim 15,wherein the level of financial responsibility of the user is displayedusing a public identity that is different than the legal name of theuser.